Times are changing at Pepco. Not so long ago, the European retail giant was a beacon of success. But now the business isn’t glowing so brightly, announcing Thursday a downgrade, a change of management and a review.

THG’s e-commerce division Ingenuity is collaborating with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to establish a commerce and technology skills programme across the Northwest of England.

Global direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce company ESW and UK parcel delivery brand DPD have formed a strategic partnership.

​H&M’s latest report on Wednesday also came with the news that sales proved weak in September, with “the start of the autumn season delayed because the month has been marked by unusually hot weather”.

​Beauty and wellbeing brand Rituals is to open a store at the Sovereign Centros-operated mall Merry Hill in the Midlands. Also taking space in the centre is design-led homewares retailer Kenji.

​Oliver Bonas has filed its accounts for 2022 with sales at the business staying “resilient” even in the face of the cost-of-living crisis that has had a big impact in the UK fashion sector.

​British tradeshows giant Hyve Group on Monday announced that its digital Connect initiative linked to its shows won’t be running in 2024, calling it a “distraction”.

​Retail sales volumes fell in the year to September for a fifth consecutive month, but at a much slower rate than last month, according to the latest monthly CBI Distributive Trades Survey that was released on Monday.

What’s the most important thing for UK consumers shopping online? Finding retailers that accept their preferred method of paying it seems, because it leads “to a great shopping experience”, research from Planet shows.

UK consumer confidence continued to recover in September, rising for the third straight month, according to the latest data from GfK.

It’s proving tough going for many small retail businesses with almost 2,000 more UK independent stores left empty in the first half of 2023.

Next’s half-year results this week were followed by its CEO suggesting an end to the period of marked fashion price rises is in sight. Simon Wolfson said prices are easing faster than expected in its supply chain.

The UK’s August retail sales figures proved to be better than expected and fashion — aided by warmer weather — had a big part to play in this.

The ongoing bid to revitalise one of London’s key shopping areas — Oxford Street — has received strong support from a major global retailer.

​Off-price specialist Secret Sales — the UK-based retailer that claims it’s “solving the problem of excess inventory” — has acquired Spanish peer Dreivip.com as it continues its expansion into mainland Europe.

​Next delivered its usual very long report covering its half-year performance on Thursday and it showed that the company is continuing to see rising sales and profits. And it revised guidance for the full year upwards.